Text Size

-

+

reset

McConnell, the five-term incumbent, raised $2.27 million from July through September. But he has aggressively built up a war chest for years and has almost $10 million cash on hand.

Democrats see Kentucky as their top opportunity to play offense in a cycle when they must defend seven seats in states carried by Mitt Romney last year. The national committee and liberal outsider groups would love to oust the leader of the opposition, guaranteeing that the Bluegrass State will be the most expensive election of 2014.

McConnell’s campaign responded to the news by noting its huge cash advantage. It argued that her fundraising was “underwhelming” because she has a similar finance team as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who raised $3.15 million in her first quarter as a candidate.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee also sought to downplay Grimes’ haul, pointing out that New Jersey Senate candidate Cory Booker raised $4.5 million in his first quarter as a candidate.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated how much Warren raised in her first quarter as a candidate.